Model construction: 2004
Model characteristics:
Scale: 1: 4
Wingspan: 2.20 m
Weight: 4 Kg
Engine: Twister 60 (Electronic Model) Batteries: 5S2P / A123 LiFe 4600mAh
Propeller: 13×8
The urge for a big, quiet plane for the beautiful summer days was too strong. Add the envy of a Piper and the project was born. By cons, the J3 tempted me moderately because it lacks originality on the ground, so I remembered n old MRA magazine where Robert Bardoux described his Piper Vagabond, it is shorter, wider and more potbellied. A good big calm so …
Using the article by Bardoux and a triptych recovered from the net, I drew the plan favoring simplicity of construction. As the drive had to be electric, the weight had to remain reasonable in order to load the batteries.
The engine was chosen with the help of Calpfon: Twister 60 engine and 13×8 propeller in 5S Life.
Takeoff:
The course is easy without the tendency to tip over. A slight nose-up order, and the Vagabond takes off. The slope is low because the power is realistic: o)
In flight:
I wanted a slow plane with reverse yaw in order to work the drift, and I am well served. The minimum speed is very very low as for the reverse yaw, it is colossal. Even with the differential, the use of the rudder is essential. For the rest, the Piper makes a nice round in the air in an almost total silence. It is, of course, sensitive to the wind but its handling does not present any difficulty.
Landing:
This can be done very slowly but the controls are then quite weak, watch out for gusts of wind.
Le Vagabond (The real) : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-15_Vagabond
The Plan:
So I started drawing the plan (downloadable here: Piper Vagabond PA15.zip)
If you make this model from this plan, please send me a photo.
The construction is detailed here: